This document summarizes the Urban Mediaspace Aarhus project in Denmark. It describes the framework of the project which included building a new main library, citizens' services building, and renovating public spaces. It details the vision of creating an open, informal learning space for collaboration, dialogue, and inspiration. Examples are then provided of innovative partnership projects the library engaged in, such as digital installations, gaming programs, events for youth, and mobile probes to better understand users. The document emphasizes the library's focus on user involvement, testing ideas, and an experimental mindset.

1. Urban MediaspaceAarhus Marie Ostergard, Project Manager Aarhus Public Libraries, Denmark

2. Agenda Urban Mediaspace Aarhus – the framework the content the Aarhus method and mind-set examples

3. Urban Mediaspace Aarhus – the framework Today

4. 2015 2014 Client: City of Aarhus Partner: Realdania, Realdania Byg Client Advisor: Rambøll DK Architects: schmidt hammer lassen architects Co-advisers: Arkitekt Kristine Jensens Tegnestue and Alectia A/S

5. Project elements Mediaspace: Main Library Citizens’ Services 17.500 m2 Partners and network 11.000 m2 Automatic parking space - 1000 cars Two new urban harboursquares Arrival centre for light rail Uncovering of the river Trafficregulation Today app: 200 people (60 full time jobs) App.: 255 mill Euro

6. The Vision Space for co-operation Place for dialogue, knowledge, ideas and inspiration Open informal learning space A unique place for children and families

7. Seven Core Values The Citizen as Key Factor Lifelong Learning and Unity Diversity, co-operation and network Culture and Experience Bridging Citizen, Technology and Knowledge Flexible and Professional Organisation A Sustainable Icon for Aarhus

8. the content Ivar Moltke, Create

9. The Library of the future Reckognition/Experience ex. bridge-builder ex. media/technology/people Inspiration Space Learning Space Experience Discover Innovation Empowerment Participate Create Performative Space ex. test-labs/openspaces Meeting Space ex. democraticspaces D.Skot-Hansen C.H. Rasmussen H. Jochumsen Engagement

10. Beautifulmistakes City directors’ statement innovation takes time and calls for preparation. weinvest in both. wearewilling to risk and makespace for experiment and untraditionalideas mistakesare part of the proces weestablishnetworksthat support the innovation process Citizen’s Services and Libraries: Innovation Strategy users as focal point user-driven innovation competencesexist in networks innovation through tests and beta versions staff’sinventiveness and creativityarepreconditions for innovation needspriority and management focus the Aarhus method and mind-set

11. Organisation and mindset Last responsible minute Inclusion and participation Interdisciplinary Co-operation

12. ’Knowledge velocity and viscosity Davenport and Pruzak, 1998 Goals Known non-knowledge Vision fulfillment Knowledge Convergent Divergent Action plans Uknown non-knowledge ”Groan” zone

13. Working in iterations Vision 1. loop Re-think Workshop 2.loop Re-think 3. loop Analyze

14. Userinvolvement Users, citizens, network User involvementcitizen’s panel, focal groups, advisory board, think-tank Children’s labChildren btw 9-14, staff, consultants Working groups10 different departments of the city, advisors, architects, foundation Development projectsCitizens, network, staff, stakeholders, international partners

15. Testing Organisation’s development strategy points towards Mediaspace Space for “beta-culture” Environment for innovation to up-grade ourselves Development of ”user familiarity” User involvement – space for users as co-creators

16. Out of the Box- libraries in innovative partnerships examples Questions: howcanpartnershipsinnovatelibraries how do wecooperate how do wecreatedynamics Activities: Theater workshops to identify drivers and barriers for engaging in cooperative innovation. Actors: scientists, artists, consultants and library staff Target: to develop partnership models that focuses on cooperation and partnerships as a strategic tool for innovating the library.

17. Unleash the Users

18. Digiform- new digital installations in the physicallibrary Question: How to make e-ressources: digital music, e-books, online databases etc. available in the physicallibrary Actors: staff, partners, private and public, consultants, researchers Result: 10 installations to test out new concepts

19. Experimentingwith digital value-adding in physicalspace

20. Gaming Createsnetwork in the gamingenvironment Connectsplayers, developers, ordinaryusers New ways to display games in the physicallibrary New comptences for the staff: games are as important as books!!

21. Mindspot- youngpeople, arts and events Target: to be an important cultural factor for youngpeople outside the library Activities: e.g. Mindspot live in the shopping center. Up-coming bands apply, getchosen and get to play in the shopping center..a.m.o. Actors: New partnerships, music festivals and shopping centers

22. Children’sInteractiveLibrary Focusonusing the body as tool Interaction people/media/technology Prototypingthroughuser involvement New approach to collaborativesearch

23. Personas

24. Digital Elections? Target: Digitalization of electionprocesses. Create an opensourceproduct for other cities. Method: Development in co-operation withpolitical parties onrecruitment Experimentswithvotingon mobile and web Digital voting as research project Result: Election for youthparliamenton mobile New tool for recruitment and organisation of volunteers for elections

25. Mobile Probes Target: knowledgeaboutusers. Develop a new digital and mobile based user involvement platform. Research people’s lives and inspire to new products or services. Method: Access to users’ daily life Send out questions and tasks to participants’ mobile phones. Answers and pictures by MMS or text messages. Results: Clues for new library services Innovation of programmes for families Opportunity to target library services and media collection (learn, listen/play music) Knowledge of tweens priorities – also regarding staff!

26. In ourlibrary of the future… the library is a mashup library requires integration and presentation of knowledge and dialogue in a diversity of ways the physical library must merge with the digital technology is embedded Focus on developing an inclusive building that supports the continuous reinventing of functionality

27. Focus on users, process, technology, involvement, co-creation Learnings are integrated in our building process The library used to be about transactions – in the future it is about relations 2014… www.multimediehuset.dk/mediaspace